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Theresa May shows British poodle can lead the way for erratic new master Theresa May shows British poodle can lead the way for erratic new master
(about 20 hours later)
Theresa May’s speech to the Republicans in Philadelphia predictably flattered the party and at the same time reminded it of an ideological lineage stretching back much further and deeper than Donald Trump.Theresa May’s speech to the Republicans in Philadelphia predictably flattered the party and at the same time reminded it of an ideological lineage stretching back much further and deeper than Donald Trump.
There were unavoidable nods at the beginning and end to the venue as the birthplace of American independence and liberty, but that is not the main history lesson the prime minister came to deliver.There were unavoidable nods at the beginning and end to the venue as the birthplace of American independence and liberty, but that is not the main history lesson the prime minister came to deliver.
She sought to bind Tories and Republicans in the pact that saw them through the Cold War. She mentioned Ronald Reagan five times, Winston Churchill four times and Margaret Thatcher twice. The name Trump passed her lips just once. She sought to bind Tories and Republicans in the pact that saw them through the cold war. She mentioned Ronald Reagan five times, Winston Churchill four times and Margaret Thatcher twice. The name Trump passed her lips just once.
As for Nato, the alliance that the new president has consistently denigrated as “obsolete”, May brought it up six times. It was the dominant theme. While Trump argued that the pact should be retooled to focus on terrorism, May made clear that it already fulfilled that function while maintaining its original and principal role of deterring Russian aggression.As for Nato, the alliance that the new president has consistently denigrated as “obsolete”, May brought it up six times. It was the dominant theme. While Trump argued that the pact should be retooled to focus on terrorism, May made clear that it already fulfilled that function while maintaining its original and principal role of deterring Russian aggression.
In a challenge to Trump’s tweeted flirting with Vladimir Putin, the prime minister offered the pointed advice “engage but beware”.In a challenge to Trump’s tweeted flirting with Vladimir Putin, the prime minister offered the pointed advice “engage but beware”.
There was rhetoric inspired by Britain’s desperate desire to deepen trade ties with the US market, but it was largely empty. Under EU rules, the UK is not allowed to embark on trade negotiations until it leaves Europe in two years, and even then there would be long and tough negotiations with Washington dug in under the “America First” banner.There was rhetoric inspired by Britain’s desperate desire to deepen trade ties with the US market, but it was largely empty. Under EU rules, the UK is not allowed to embark on trade negotiations until it leaves Europe in two years, and even then there would be long and tough negotiations with Washington dug in under the “America First” banner.
The more immediate and tangible demand that ran right through May’s Philadelphia address was for European security. “America’s leadership role in Nato – supported by Britain – must be the central element around which the alliance is built,” May said.The more immediate and tangible demand that ran right through May’s Philadelphia address was for European security. “America’s leadership role in Nato – supported by Britain – must be the central element around which the alliance is built,” May said.
She addressed Trump’s oft-repeated concern that US allies do not pay their way, urging other countries to meet the 2% GDP target for defence spending, but she treated the issue as an irritating housekeeping matter. Keeping faith with eastern Europe, May argued, was existential for western values.She addressed Trump’s oft-repeated concern that US allies do not pay their way, urging other countries to meet the 2% GDP target for defence spending, but she treated the issue as an irritating housekeeping matter. Keeping faith with eastern Europe, May argued, was existential for western values.
May adorned her message with nods to the patron saints of Republicans and Tories, and within the nostalgic wrapping was a stick prodded in Trump’s direction.May adorned her message with nods to the patron saints of Republicans and Tories, and within the nostalgic wrapping was a stick prodded in Trump’s direction.
“We should not jeopardise the freedoms that president Reagan and Mrs Thatcher brought to eastern Europe by accepting president Putin’s claim that it is now in his sphere of influence,” the prime minister said, expressing the anxiety now gripping many European governments. The UK and others are quietly trying to cajole Trump into holding an informal summit of Nato leaders before he meets Putin. “We should not jeopardise the freedoms that President Reagan and Mrs Thatcher brought to eastern Europe by accepting president Putin’s claim that it is now in his sphere of influence,” the prime minister said, expressing the anxiety now gripping many European governments. The UK and others are quietly trying to cajole Trump into holding an informal summit of Nato leaders before he meets Putin.
The Philadelphia speech artfully coupled things Trump is loudly in favour of with things he is less enthused by. The transatlantic alliance was not just about interests but values too. (It was as close as she came to dealing with Trump’s enthusiasm for torture.) The west should stand up for Israel, and just as much for Estonia, on Nato’s border with Russia.The Philadelphia speech artfully coupled things Trump is loudly in favour of with things he is less enthused by. The transatlantic alliance was not just about interests but values too. (It was as close as she came to dealing with Trump’s enthusiasm for torture.) The west should stand up for Israel, and just as much for Estonia, on Nato’s border with Russia.
It was an address in which May did what congressional Republicans, as well Rex Tillerson, James Mattis and Nikki Haley have done in recent days: pretended not to hear the president’s pro-Moscow rhetoric. Like most speeches made by British prime ministers visiting the US, it harked on the “special relationship” while always risking the projection of lapdog-like slavishness. It was an address in which May did what congressional Republicans, as well Rex Tillerson, James Mattis and Nikki Haley have done in recent days: pretended not to hear the president’s pro-Moscow rhetoric. Like most speeches made by British prime ministers visiting the US, it harped on the “special relationship” while always risking the projection of lapdog-like slavishness.
In Philadelphia, May made it clear that if Brexit Britain was going to be a poodle once more, it would be a poodle with its own firm ideas of the direction it wants to be walked by its erratic new master.In Philadelphia, May made it clear that if Brexit Britain was going to be a poodle once more, it would be a poodle with its own firm ideas of the direction it wants to be walked by its erratic new master.